Soffit structure

ABSTRACT

A soffit structure which is a sheet member having an upper surface and bottom surface with a plurality of channels formed in the sheet members, the channels extending inwardly from the bottom surface and being defined by at least a pair of opposed side walls, with apertures formed in the side walls. The side walls are preferably angled slightly to provide a greater degree of protection for the apertures formed therein.

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No.10/780,193 filed Feb. 17, 2004, the teachings of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a soffit structure and moreparticularly, relates to a novel soffit structure having vent meanstherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of soffit structures to provide ventilation to an attic or underthe roof area is well known in the art. Thus, it has been known foryears that ventilation of a space underneath a roof is necessary bothduring the summer and winter seasons. During the summer, if this area isnot ventilated, the solar energy captured by the roof would generateexcessive temperatures in the space. This will cause damage to manyroofing materials and as well, would increase air-conditioning cost forthe area below.

In winter, it is also required to ventilate the area since warm moistair escaping from heated areas below would, upon contact with the coldstructural members, condense. This moisture would eventually lead tostructural damage of wood components and can also cause dripping intothe area below.

Generally, the area to be ventilated will comprise two different typesof areas. Thus, in many sloping roof arrangements, there is provided asubstantial open area, commonly called an attic, between the ceiling ofthe structure and the roof. In such an arrangement, different types ofventing may be provided. One arrangement provides for a continuous ventalong the ridge of the roof in conjunction with soffit vents. This isideally arranged to create an air flow from the soffit through the ridgevent. Alternatively, various other types of vents may be provided in theend walls of the attic or in the roof itself. In all instances, thepurpose is to provide a controlled airflow through the attic area.

In the case of cathedral ceilings, the airflow is typically between therafters, extending from the soffit to an upper vent.

Generally soffits comprise a piece of sheet metal or other materialthrough which apertures have been formed. While such soffits are widelyaccepted, they can, under certain conditions, permit the flow ofprecipitation upwardly through the apertures. Furthermore, the aestheticappeal of such soffits is limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a soffit structurewhich is both aesthetically attractive and overcomes the disadvantagesof the prior art.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided asoffit structure comprising a sheet member having an upper surface and abottom surface wherein the upper surface is designed to lie against astructural member of a building and the bottom surface is facingexteriorly of the building, a plurality of channels formed in the sheetmember, the channels extending inwardly from the bottom surface, atleast one of the channels having a pair of opposed side walls, the atleast one channel having a plurality of apertures formed in at least oneof the side walls thereof.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a soffit structure comprising a sheet member having an uppersurface and a bottom surface wherein the upper surface is designed tolie against a structural member of a building and the bottom surface isfacing exteriorly of the building, a plurality of channels formed in thesheet member, the channels extending inwardly from the bottom surface,at least one channel being defined by first and second side walls and abottom wall, the at least one channel having a plurality of aperturesformed in at least one of the side walls, a cover member associated withthe at least one channel, the cover member having a first end retainedwithin the channel, and a cap portion located at a second end of thecover member.

The soffit system of the present invention may be used in any suitablebuilding structure with residential housing being the most common typeof building structure which uses soffit ventilation. The soffit istraditionally manufactured of a formed metal although it is also knownin the art to use plastic soffit. It sufficies to say that any suitablematerial may be utilized in the practice of the present invention.

The channels are formed in the soffit by any suitable means, dependingupon the material. Thus, using a metallic material such as aluminum,known forming equipment can easily form the channels. The channelspreferably have a generally U-shaped configuration although in oneembodiment it is even more preferred that the walls of the channels beangled such that they form an angle of between 75° and 88° with respectto the upper surface of the soffit. In other words, the base of thechannel is slightly larger than the opening.

In the above embodiment, all the channels are provided with aperturesalthough it will be understood that only some of the channels may beprovided with the apertures depending upon the degree of ventilationrequired. Similarly, it is preferred that the apertures be formed inboth side walls of the recess. However, it will again be understood thatonly one of the walls may be provided with such apertures.

Preferably, the apertures are sufficiently numerous and are of a size tomeet the ventilation standards set in the building industry. Suchstandards are well known in the art. Generally, the apertures wouldarrange between 12 and 16 mm. The number of rows in each standard piecewill vary depending upon the ventilation required.

In the second aspect of the invention, and as aforementioned, the soffitstructure has a cover member which designed to be inserted in thechannels for aesthetic purposes. Thus, the cover member will remove theability to see the channels and the cover member may, if desired, carrydecorative indicia.

The cover member is preferably a snap-fit construction such that it mayeasily be placed in the channel and withdrawn therefrom. Accordingly, ina preferred embodiment the cover member (or at least a portion thereof)is formed of a metal or plastic material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made tothe accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a soffit structureaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the soffit when used in afacia system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a soffitstructure according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing the placement of a cover member intoone of the vent channels;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a cover member;and

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures in greater detail and by reference charactersthereto, there is illustrated a soffit structure which is generallydesignated by reference numeral 10.

Soffit structure 10 has a generally planar body 12 which has an uppersurface 14 and a bottom surface 16. Formed in generally planar centralbody portion 12 are a plurality of generally U-shaped channels generallydesignated by reference numeral 18.

Each channel 18, in the illustrated embodiment, has a pair of opposedside walls 20, 22 which are connected by a bottom wall 24. As may bestseen in FIG. 2, each side wall 20 and 22 is angled slightly so as toform an angle of approximately 85° between upper surface 12 and arespective side wall as indicated by angle 26.

In order to provide the ventilation, apertures 28 are provided in eachof the walls 20 and 22.

In use, the soffit may be attached by conventional means such asmechanical fasteners or the like. However, it is preferred that the samebe used in a system wherein it is supported at one edge by a faciasupport member 30 and a second support member 32 which is secured to thewall structure of the building.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6, there is illustratedtherein a further version of the soffit structure of the presentinvention.

The soffit is generally designated by reference numeral 110 and includesa base component 112 with vent channels generally designated by numeral114 extending in a parallel fashion.

Vent channels 114 are defined by first side wall 116 and a second sidewall 118 which are substantially parallel. There is also an upper wallgenerally designated by reference numeral 130 which includes a firstangled portion 122 and as second angled portion 124. At their lowerextremities, first side wall 116 and second side wall 118 have inwardlyextending C-shaped portions 126 and 127 respectively. C-shaped portions126 and 127 connect with corrugated sections 128. A plurality ofapertures 130 are provided in first side wall 116, second side wall 118and upper wall 120.

At one end of each soffit panel, there is provided a connectingarrangement and which connecting arrangement is best seen in FIG. 3. Asmay be seen, second wall 118 is connected to a rearwardly extending topwall 134 and which terminates in a C-shaped portion 136.

A second soffit panel has first side wall 116 and a first angled portion122. However, from first angled portion 122, there is provided astraight portion 140 and which terminates in a rearwardly extendingC-shaped segment 142. From there, there is provided a second C-shapedsection 138 passing through bight 144 and which terminates in a straightflange 148. Flange 148 may have apertures therein to receive a fasteningmember such as a nail 150.

In this embodiment, there is provided a channel cover and which isgenerally designated by reference numeral 154. Channel cover 154 has abottom wall 156 which merges inwardly with C-shaped portions 158, 159.These are, in turn, connected to straight wall segments 160, 161following which there are provided inwardly extending C-shaped segments162, 163 and which terminate in end tapered sections 164, 165.

A cap generally designed by reference numeral 168 has a lower wall 170which, at each end, passes through bights 172, 173 to form a top wall174, 175. Top walls 174, 175 terminate in end sections 176, 177 whichfit within C-shaped recesses 158, 159 respectively.

Turning now to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, there is illustrated achannel cover which is similar to that of FIGS. 4 to 6 and which willnow be referred to. Similar reference numerals in the 200's are used forlike components.

Channel cover 254 is formed as one piece and is inserted into thechannels of the soffit. However, in this embodiment, there are provideda plurality of apertures 253 to permit the passage of air therethrough.One of the rows of apertures is preferably aligned with the aperturesformed in the walls of the channels.

It will be understood that the above described embodiment is forpurposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may bemade thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A soffit structure comprising: a sheet member having an upper surfaceand a bottom surface wherein said upper surface is designed to lieagainst a structural member of a building and the bottom surface isfacing exteriorly of the building; a plurality of channels formed insaid sheet member, said channels extending inwardly from said bottomsurface, at least one channel being defined by first and second sidewalls and a bottom wall, each of said side walls and bottom wall beingstraight and planar, each of said side walls being angled so as to forman acute angle with said upper surface of said sheet member, said atleast one channel having a plurality of apertures formed in at least oneof said side walls.
 2. The soffit structure of claim 1, wherein each ofsaid channels has apertures formed in at least one of said side walls.3. The soffit structure of claim 2 wherein all of said side walls haveapertures formed therein.
 4. The soffit structure of claim 1 whereineach of said side walls form an angle of between 75° and 88° withrespect to said upper surface.
 5. The soffit structure of claim 1wherein said sheet member is formed of a metallic material.
 6. Thesoffit structure of claim 3 wherein said metallic material is aluminum.7. The soffit structure of claim 4 wherein said channels extendtransversely of said sheet member.
 8. A soffit structure comprising: asheet member having an upper surface and a bottom surface wherein saidupper surface is designed to lie against a structural member of abuilding and the bottom surface is facing exteriorly of the building; aplurality of channels formed in said sheet member, said channelsextending inwardly from said bottom surface, at least one channel beingdefined by first and second side walls and a bottom wall, said at leastone channel having a plurality of apertures formed in at least one ofsaid side walls; a cover member associated with said at least onechannel, said cover member having a first end retained within saidchannel, and a cap portion located at a second end of said cover member.9. The soffit structure of claim 8 wherein each of said side walls hasan inwardly projecting portion designed to retain said first end of saidcover member.
 10. The soffit structure of claim 9 wherein said capportion includes outwardly extending portions to cover said ventchannels.
 11. The soffit structure of claim 8 wherein said cover memberhas a plurality of apertures formed therein.